Photo Books

I have finally finished my first LONGER photo book!  I decided to give it a go by doing the year 2012 all online as a printed book.  Every year since 1995 I have done one or two family albums a year through scrap booking.  I've always used Creative Memories products and have been happy with the results.  Along with the family albums, I've kept a school album for each of our kids as well as a Christmas album with highlights from each year.  My albums started out all cutesy but over the years have become more like my personality...straight and to the point.  I love taking pictures so of course I want my albums to reflect the many photos I've taken.  So rather than fill the pages with stickers or die cuts, I opt to just use photos and pens.  I like to write a bit about where we were or dates, just for reference, but I really want my pages to be about the photos.

About August of last year I realized I hadn't completed my 2011 album and was already way behind for the current year.  After pinning a few pins on Pinterest about Blurb, I decided to give it a try for a year.  I was able to get caught up and keep it up throughout the year.  My family has had mixed reviews about this idea of mine.  They all love to look through our albums and are afraid this book won't be the same.  Honestly I have that concern as well.  I've done photo books in the past from other sites and I do love them, but haven't felt that they are quite the same as a homemade album.

Have any of you switched from a scrap book type of album to a printed book and had success?  I'd love to hear some feedback.

Random happenings

My boy, Tarzan (far right) and his date Jane and their friends ready to head out to the Sadie's Disney themed dance.  Such a great group of kids!

Nikki going up for a header.

Ali and her teammates getting ready to start their volleyball tournament.  Ali is the one braiding her friends hair.

Yep this was our front lawn.  I left it an entire afternoon so that Ali would have to come home and clean it all up herself.  She still says it's really fun to do it to her friends and worth having to clean it up herself.  Ugh!  I've never taken any kid TP'ing because I hate it being done to us.  She is my only one that feels the need to partake in the mess making with friends.  I know it's really harmless, but it's one of those things I just feel could be avoided forever.

This is what I do for fun...crossfit.  It was one of my better showings.  I finished the WOD (workout of the day) in 8 minutes, 17 seconds and did it rx'd (prescribed, which means I used all of the recommended weights).  I've been crossfitting for nearly three years now and can't imagine doing any other form of exercise.  I love it and am learning a lot about what I should be putting into my body and my family's bodies as well.

That's just a few of the happenings round here.  What's going on in your casa?

Bring your parent to school day...not

Ali had been telling me that today was going to be "bring your parent to jr. high day" all week.  She wasn't quite sure how she felt about me coming to school.  She didn't want to be the only kid there with a parent.  But when she mentioned it last night, both Stephen and Nikki told her that she should let me go.  They said all of the kids love when a mom they know shows up.  So this morning, I told her I'd come around 9:00 and stay for a class or two.  She was happy with that.

I was hoping to get to see English since they were doing live Public Service Announcements to work on their persuasive writing skills.  As I turned onto the street the school is on, I see a group of kids in their PE clothes out on their power walking unit.  A few waved, I waved back.  Then I spot Ali and think, "oh dang! I have my new Ugg boots on and don't really want to walk on the dirt trail in them".  Oh well, that's what I'm here for.  So I park and RUN to catch them.  I caught them at the corner when they'd stopped for a light.  Ali and her friend Paige came up and gave me a hug while cracking up.  In between laughs, they proceeded to tell me that Bring your parent to school day is actually next Wednesday and that I should leave.

I know I could've continued on the walk with them, but again the Ugg boots came to mind.  So I gave them a hug goodbye and walked back to my car.  Guess I'll try again next Wednesday!  Kids!!